Tuesday, April 01, 2008

Reporters' Notebooks

Ray Melick, Birmingham News: Just who is the NCAA looking out for? When it comes to having current "student-athletes" take part in a pep rally on the eve of a spring football game before a concert as part of an event that promotes college football and guarantees hundreds of thousands of dollars to general scholarship funds, well, the sanctimonious NCAA says that violates its precious spirit of amateurism.

Michael DiRocco, Florida Times-Union: Florida receiver Percy Harvin's right heel injury might require surgery. "Percy now has trouble pushing off with his knee because of pain. He's trying to compensate for his heel. He's starting to have knee and hip issues," Urban Meyer said.

Tennessean: Tennessee season tickets are increasing $19 from a year ago. Tickets range in price from $40 for an Oct. 4 game against Northern Illinois to $70 for games against Florida and Alabama.

Joseph Person, Columbia State: Tailback Bobby Wallace, defensive back Chris Hail and linebacker-turned-tight end Dustin Lindsey have been told by Steve Spurrier to sit out spring drills for a week to concentrate on academics.

Scott Bell, Detroit Free Press: What does Justin Boren's departure mean to Michigan's offensive line? Outside of Stephen Schilling, who has 13 career starts, the four other projected starters at Saturday's practice have only three combined starts.

Andrew Carter, Orlando Sentinel: Problems at Florida State. Receivers can't catch and the defense is giving up long pass plays. And another problem. "There's still too many [players] that don't know the plays. Offensively and defensively," Bobby Bowden says.

Paul Finebaum, Mobile Press-Register: Nick Saban is staying in Tuscaloosa until retirement. End of discussion. He loves it here and is appreciative of the people who hired him. Really. Seriously. This is not an April Fool's Day joke.

Michael Rothstein, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette: The Crewcut Charlie Weis tour is coming to Ocala, Fla., on April 24. Tickets are going for $35, $50 and $250. The event will feature a reception, buffet lunch, video presentation, Weis' speech and a question-and-answer session.

Jay Hinton, Deseret Morning News: Things might be looking up at Utah State, coming off a 2-10 season but winners of two in a row.

Lincoln Journal Star: Because it's never too early to plan a trip to Hattiesburg, right? Nebraska will play at Southern Mississippi in 2013, part of a three-game series between the teams.

Mike Knobler, Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Georgia Tech quarterback signee Jaybo Shaw, the first player to commit to play for the Yellow Jackets after Paul Johnson was hired as coach, was arrested early Sunday morning on a charge of underage drinking.

John Pruett, Huntsville Times: His farewell column. "In the sports writing business, you don't necessarily have to go out at the top of your game. But you don't need to overstay your welcome, especially when the fires begin to flicker."

Chris Foster, Los Angeles Times: Rick Neuheisel begins his first spring as UCLA's coach. The Bruins lost 25 seniors and the positions of priority are the offensive line and quarterback.